Petunia plant named ‘KLEPH07119’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Petunia  particularly characterized by its flowers having a white background with red-purple veins and a dark-purple eye, its compact semi-upright growth habit, and its rain tolerance, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Petunia hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEPH07119’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Petunia ,botanically known as Petunia hybrid, and hereinafter referred to by thecultivar name ‘KLEPH07119’. ‘KLEPH07119’ was discovered as a seedlingresulting from a cross conducted in summer 2003 in Stuttgart, Germanybetween the proprietary female Petunia plant, ‘V 199’ (unpatented) andthe proprietary male Petunia plant, ‘V 019’ (unpatented). A single plantselection was subsequently chosen for further evaluation and for asexualpropagation.

The new cultivar was created in 2003 in Stuttgart, Germany and has beenasexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings and in-vitropropagation in Stuttgart, Germany over a four-year period (more than 50generations). ‘KLEPH07119’ has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics through successive asexual propagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar were applied for in Canada onApr. 20, 2007. ‘KLEPH07119’ has not been made publicly available morethan one year prior to filing of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal commercialpractices in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Flowers having a white background, red-purple veins and a        dark-purple eye;    -   2. Compact semi-upright growth habit; and    -   3. Rain tolerance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Petunia plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographwhich shows the overall plant habit, flowers and foliage; the colorsshown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventionalphotographic procedures. The photograph is of a plant about 5-months oldand grown from rooted cuttings in a 12-cm pot in a greenhouse(glasshouse) in Stuttgart, Germany under conditions which approximatethose generally used in commercial practice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘KLEPH07119’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inStuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken on 5-month-old plants in12-cm pots that were pinched once approximately one week after pottingand grown in a greenhouse in the spring. The color readings weredetermined under natural light. Color references are to the R.H.S.Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.)(2001).

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Solanaceae.        -   Genus and species.— Petunia hybrid.        -   Common name.—Petunia.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary Petunia ‘V 199’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—The proprietary Petunia ‘V 019’ (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Form.—Compact.        -   Habit.—Semi-upright.        -   Height (from top of soil).9.0 cm.        -   Width (horizontal plant diameter).—16.0 cm.        -   Propagation.—Vegetative propagation by terminal tip cuttings            or in-vitro propagation of shoot tips.        -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—11 weeks.        -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—18 days.        -   Root description.—Moderate density and moderate branching,            white roots.-   Stems:    -   -   Average number (basal).—6.        -   Length of basal branches (from the base of the stem to the            tip).—9.0 cm.        -   Internode length.—0.5 cm to 2.0 cm.        -   Diameter of branches (from midpoint).—5.0 cm to 10.0 cm.        -   Stem color.—RHS 137C.        -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.        -   Texture (all surfaces).—Smooth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Size.—Length: 0.5 cm to 2.5 cm. Width: 0.5 cm to 2.0 cm.        -   Shape.—Broadly elliptic.        -   Margin.—Very weak undulation.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Immature leaf.—Color: Upper surface: RHS 138A. Lower            surface: RHS 138C.        -   Mature leaf.—Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface:            RHS 146B.        -   Texture (both surfaces). Smooth.        -   Venation.—Pinnate.        -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 146D. Lower surface: RHS            145A.        -   Petioles.—Length: 0.3 cm to 1.5 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Color            (both upper and lower parts): RHS 138B. Texture: Smooth.-   Flower bud:    -   -   Shape.—Irregular to oblong.        -   Size.—Length: 4.0 cm. Diameter: 0.8 cm.        -   Color at tight bud.—RHS 75A and RHS 72A.        -   Immature flower color.—RHS 75A and RHS 72A.        -   Texture.—Pubescent.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Blooming habit (flowering season).—Continuous flowering            during the summer.        -   Inforescence type.—Single flower.        -   Number of flowers per node.—1.        -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—6 days.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Pedicels.—Color: RHS 137C. Length: 2.0 cm. Diameter: 0.3 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.-   Flowers:    -   -   Shape.—Cup-shaped.        -   Size.—Diameter (flower face): 5.5 cm. Depth (total length of            flower): 4.0 cm. Funnel: Length: 3.3 cm. Diameter (at            opening): 1.0 cm. Outside texture: Smooth.        -   Mature flower.—Face/Margin Color: Upper surface: RHS 71A and            RHS 155C. Lower surface: RHS 70B and RHS 155C. Corolla tube:            Color inside (throat): RHS 71A. Color outside: RHS 70B.            Petals: Apex: Rounded to emarginate. Base: Reniform. Margin:            Undulating. Waviness: Low. Lobation: Low. Texture (both            surfaces): Smooth.        -   Calyx arrangement.—One star-shaped calyx tube with five            sepals fused at the base per flower.        -   Sepals.—Number: 5. Color: Upper surface: RHS 138A. Lower            surface: RHS 138B. Length: 2.0 cm. Width: 0.5 cm. Shape:            Lanceolate to elliptic. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Fused. Margin:            Entire. Texture (both surfaces): Smooth.

Reproductive organs:

-   -   -   Stamens.—Quantity: 5. Shape: Needle-like with elliptic head.            Filament: Length: 0.5 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm. Color: RHS 150A.            Anther: Shape: Elliptic. Color: RHS 76C. Length: 0.3 cm.            Diameter: 0.2 cm. Pollen: Color: RHS 76C. Amount: Abundant.        -   Pistils.—Number: 1. Length: 0.5 cm. Diameter 0.1 cm. Stigma:            Color: RHS 150A. Shape: Oval. Length: 1.9 cm. Diameter:            0.1 cm. Style: Color: RHS 150C. Length: 2.0 cm. Diameter:            0.1 cm. Texture: Fibrous.

-   Fruit and seed set: None observed.

-   Disease and insect resistance: Not observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

‘KLEPH07119’ differs from the female parent, the Petunia ‘V 199’(unpatented), in that ‘KLEPH07119’ has a compact semi-upright growthhabit, while ‘V 199’ has a semi-trailing growth habit. In addition,‘KLEPH07119’ has a flower with a white background, red-purple veins anda dark-purple eye, while ‘V 199’ has a pinkish-white flower.

‘KLEPH07119’ differs from the male parent, the proprietary Petunia ‘V019’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEPH07119’ has a compact semi-uprightgrowth habit, while ‘V 019’ has an upright growth habit. In addition,‘KLEPH07119’ has a flower with a white background, red-purple veins anda dark-purple eye, while ‘V 019’ has a pure purple flower with whitespots. ‘KLEPH07119’ differs from the commercial comparison variety‘Famous Violet Dark Eye’ (unpatented) in that ‘KLEPH07119’ is moretolerant of rain than ‘Famous Violet Dark Eye’.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant as shown and describedherein.